Dental implants are one of the most common ways to replace missing teeth in general dentistry nowadays. These are screws or rods (typically made out of titanium) that can serve as artificial teeth roots. Oral restorations like crowns are fitted to implants to replace missing teeth. Implants are constructed to last a lifetime, but the restorations attached to them typically last anywhere between 10 and 25 years.
Replacing lost teeth with implants involves minor oral surgery. The implant is surgically inserted into the patient’s jaw, replacing the natural teeth root that fell out. The implant restores the function of the lost root, helping to preserve bone tissues in the area by keeping them stimulated.
Anyone interested in getting implants needs to be healthy enough to undergo minor oral surgery. Patients with health problems like diabetes have a higher risk of complications as they recover from a procedure. Such patients are evaluated individually to assess their risk level.
Patients also need to have enough thickness in their jawbone to keep implants in the jaw. Bone grafts can be used to thicken the jaws of patients if such thickness is required. However, patients who get bone grafts will need to be fully recovered before proceeding with implants, and it can take up to three months to recover from bone grafts.
Lifestyle habits like smoking, drinking, or prescribed medications are also discussed before clearing patients for implants. Such things can hinder the person’s ability to recover.
Once a patient has been cleared for implants, a date is set for the placement of the oral prosthetic. Local anesthetics are administered at the start of the procedure, so the patient does not feel any pain as the dentist works.
An incision is made into the patient’s gums to provide the dentist with access to their jawbone. Then, a dental drill is used to make a hole in the jaw. The hole is slightly smaller than the diameter of the implant being used. The implant is then pushed into the hole until bone tissues around it hold it in place, just like wood holds a nail in place. That typically concludes the first phase of the treatment. Depending on the type of implant placed, a crown or some other restoration might be attached to it during the same procedure.
Most patients will have to wait up to six months for the implant to fuse with bone tissues around it. The process is termed osseointegration, and it bonds the implant to the patient’s jaw just like a real tooth’s root.
Once osseointegration is complete, the patient comes in for the second part of the treatment. A cosmetic like a crown is attached to the implant to replace the patient’s lost tooth. The installed implant should last the rest of the patient’s life with good oral hygiene.
Let us go over the answers to some commonly asked questions about dental implants:
Yes. Implants can be used as bases for restorations like dentures and bridges. It is quite common to combine implants with these restorations. Dentures provide the most economical solution for missing teeth, but they are held in place via suction, which often leads to the appliance shifting while worn. It is one of the biggest complaints people who wear dentures have.
Dentists typically address that problem by recommending implant-supported dentures or bridges. The procedure involves inserting multiple implants into each dental arch being treated and using them as bases for dentures. The patient gets a stable solution for missing teeth.
Implants are technically not used to replace missing teeth; they replace the roots of lost teeth. It is the restoration that is placed on the implant that replaces the lost tooth. Other missing teeth replacement options like dentures and bridges only replace the visible part of teeth.
Implants replacing lost teeth roots means bone tissues in the jaw keep getting the stimulation they need to remain healthy. As with muscle tissues, bone tissues need constant stimulation to prevent atrophy. Implants transfer bite forces from the restoration into the jaw, giving tissues there the stimulation they need to be healthy. Preserving bone tissues in the jaw helps to preserve your appearance since bone tissue loss in the jaw leads to wrinkles and fine lines forming on the face.
Are you dealing with a missing tooth? Give us a call or drop by our New Albany clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist and explore treatment options like dental implants.
Request an appointment here: https://riverfallsfamilydental.com or call River Falls Family Dental at (812) 962-7342 for an appointment in our New Albany office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Implants in New Albany, IN.
A dental implant is the gold standard of dental restorations. It provides stability and natural-looking results. Understanding the benefits of implants can motivate you to see your general dentist about it. Here are the different oral health advantages of a dental implant.The titanium rod acts as the dental root. It merges with the jawbone and…
Dental implants are the gold standard in teeth replacement. These restorations are durable and biocompatible. Most people prefer durable and stable dental prosthetics to removable dentures. Implants owe their security to the prosthetic root and dental crown. If you want to know how the prosthetic root and crown help dental implants become stable and strong,…
A consistent oral hygiene routine is necessary for anyone who has dental implants. While tooth decay cannot affect implants themselves, the area still requires routine cleaning to prevent gum disease and even infection. Failure to do so can also cause staining of the prosthetic tooth and an unsightly appearance. If the tissues surrounding the implant…
Dental implants offer a permanent and effective way to replace lost teeth. Implants have become increasingly popular as an alternative to various tooth replacement options such as removable dentures. If you are self-conscious because you have one or more missing teeth, you should consider implant treatment. This option may also be ideal if you wear…
Losing teeth is never something you want to have to happen, but if it has happened to you, you might want to consider dental implants as an option to restore your missing teeth. Before you make a choice, you may want to understand what the dental implant procedure is like and how to prepare for…
Dentures are ideal for improving your oral health and mouth function after you lose multiple teeth. They are the best teeth replacement solution for many patients because they are affordable, non-invasive, and long lasting. In this review, we discuss three important questions that you should ask your dentist before getting dentures.It helps to have as…